Simpson University Inducts Nursing Students into Honor Society
For Immediate Release
03.31.2015
REDDING, Calif. - Simpson University recently welcomed 11 new inductees into its Honor Society of Nursing.
The class of 2015 honorees include seven students from the four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program and four registered nurses (RNs) in the 16-month RN-BSN Track. The students comprise the top third of their graduating class.
They were recognized during a luncheon March 20 that included School of Nursing administrators, faculty and staff, society board members, and alumni from the program, including four members of the class of 2014 employed as nurses in Redding.
The new inductees include BSN students Kaitlyn Olson, Emily Agudo, Cat Amato, Shayla Todd, and Jeremy Wildoner, all of Redding; Dolly Hopper of Red Bluff; and Lysandra Ramirez of Shingletown; and RN-BSN Track students Rachel Barquist of Red Bluff, Tamara Isringhausen and Kellie Knight, both of Anderson, and Susan Wagner-Salanti of Redding.
“They have shown leadership, excellence and service throughout their time at Simpson University,” said Paul Herman, assistant professor of nursing and master of ceremonies. “My colleagues and I are proud to have had a small part in preparing and educating these graduates.”
Dr. Robin Dummer, interim president, offered congratulations and acknowledged that nursing is a profession “that doesn’t stand still.” With that in mind, he said, “part of excellence is also maintaining life balance as you serve others.”
Laura Kobzeff, a ’13 nursing graduate and president of the honor society’s board of directors, delivered a charge. She shared her class verse—Ephesians 2:10—reminding honorees that all patients are made in God’s image.
“’Walk Worthy’ was a chapel theme when I was here,” she said. “We can do that in such a special way as nurses with people who are…in need.”
The Honor Society of Nursing is patterned after Sigma Theta Tau International, founded in 1922 by six nurses at what is now Indiana University School of Nursing. The mission of the honor society is to advance world health and celebrate nursing excellence in scholarship, leadership and service.
In addition to Kobzeff, the Honor Society of Nursing board of directors includes vice president Kendra Schubert ’13; secretary Nicolle Larkin ’13; Kimberly Shaw, chief nurse executive and vice president of patient care services at Mercy Medical Center in Redding; Leslie Woodson, chief nursing officer at Shasta Regional Medical Center; Michelle Sanders, adult acute care practitioner at Mercy; Kristie Stephens, dean of the School of Nursing; Herman; and student representatives Patricia Brown and Christopher Donaghe. Jan Dinkel, former School of Nursing dean, is an honorary board member.
Other members of the Honor Society of Nursing include class of 2013 graduates Kobzeff, Larkin, Schubert, Hannah Hoffman, Tessa Smith, Laura Nasise, and Danae Hicks; and class of 2014 graduates Brown, Donaghe, Jay Bitner, Jenna Curato, Kirt Edgar, Emily Ganim, Sandra Kitchens, Brad O’Brien, and Kimberly Vierhus.
Brown, Donaghe, Kitchens, and Curato attended this year’s induction. All are working as nurses in Redding—Brown as a floor nurse at Vibra Hospital of Northern California; Donaghe in oncology at Mercy Medical in Redding; Kitchens in emergency at Shasta Regional; and Curato as a charge nurse at BloodSource.
In addition to the Honor Society for Nursing, Simpson University also has chapters of the following national honor societies: Alpha Chi, Kappa Mu Epsilon (mathematics), Psi Chi (psychology), Phi Alpha Theta (history) and Alpha Sigma Lambda (for adults in the Adult Studies program).
For more information about Simpson University’s School of Nursing, visit simpsonu.edu/nursing.
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Photos by Jessica Law
(Top) New Honor Society of Nursing inductees join administrators on the balcony overlooking the new Science and Nursing Center on March 20. From left, School of Nursing Dean Kristie Stephens, assistant professor Paul Herman, Cat Amato, Dolly Hopper, Emily Agudo, Katilyn Olson, Lysandra Ramirez, Jeremy Wildoner, Shayla Todd, Susan Wagner-Salanti, and Interim President Robin Dummer. Not pictured: Rachel Barquist, Tamara Isringhausen, Kellie Knight.
Several 2014 graduates attended the honor society induction. From left, Patricia Brown, a floor nurse at Vibra Hospital of Northern California; Jenna Curato, a charge nurse at BloodSource; and Christopher Donaghe, an oncology nurse at Mercy Medical Center in Redding.
Simpson University, established in 1921, is a Christian university offering undergraduate, graduate, and teaching credential programs. The university celebrated its 25th year in Redding and the completion of a Science and Nursing Center in 2014. Academic programs include ASPIRE, a degree-completion program geared toward working adults with both on-campus and online course offerings, including degrees in psychology and organizational leadership. For information about the university, or to arrange a campus visit, call 1-888-9-SIMPSON or visit simpsonu.edu.
Contact: SU Public Relations
mediarelations@simpsonu.edu
(530) 226-4737
